File system layout

[bell07]

The file manager is already in discussion but it is not clear what files are and how the fs-layout should be. We have lua-tables ony :-( What should be visible in the file-manager ? A full emulated filesystem tree?

Design notes and todo's

Storage => transparent table: Inside the app an lua table can be obtained and used without worry about saving data

• [X] nodemeta - is stored on computer (available on selected computer) and not secure because technically readable for all (HDD) - used in computer settings and text app
• [ ] playermeta - is stored on player and is available on all computers, only if player is logged in (Brain)
• [X] Mod-Meta - is stored globally and available "secure" for all users on all computers (Cloud) - used for mail storage
• [X] Item-Meta - Is stored in an item, can be transported or placed to chests (Floppy/Disk)

Format / Layouts The HDD and Cloud does have own per-app layout. That means each app have own sub-table like cloud["appname"] to store data in "proprietary" format. For Item-Meta I still search for idea Each item should have custom groups for allowed data? Like "laptop_text" means it is possible to store text-app data to usb-stick or "laptop_os" group to boot an OS from the floppy (just checked by old-OS-launcher to move away "please insert floppy" screen

• [X] USB-Stick item. Can be used for Laptop full backup or for data storage
• [X] Floppy. Can be used to boot old Computer or for data storage
• [ ] Book / Paper - Idea for Printer - Tracked in #38

App related tasks support

• [X] Disk utility - To be implemented to manage computer compatible Items (itemmeta storage). The app should be able to format/reformat items for specific usage
• [X] launcher - Uses HDD. Disk utility should be able to save/restore the settings to USB-drive floppy will be checked if formatted for "Boot old computer OS"
• [X] launcher_settings - Manipulates launcher storage. Own data temporary only
• [X] mail - Uses Cloud storage in proprietary format - See no reason to change it
• [x] launcher_insert_floppy. If boot-formatted disk inserted, launch the default launcher (till own launcher implemented)
• [x] stickynote - Needs to be enhanced to write multiple "Files" to HDD, USB-stick or floppy if formatted for text-usage.

[bell07]

@Gerold55 please set Label to "discussion", I do not have permission for this on your repo

[bell07]

... Item-Meta added to the list above

[Gerold55]

Could the file system be virtual. Meaning it creates a folder from which you can access saved documents game high scores and exported "emails" among other things that could be added. Like made on PC art etc. etc.

[bell07]

Yes, virtual. In the current implementation we have the table os.appdata that is "/" or "C:\" virtually. A special folder (=subtable) "os" axists for system settings and then a subfolder for each app, with unstructered data. At the time I do not see any benefit to show this data. For example the notepad-app: there is no file name, just the text.

To get an full-featured VFS we need more apps that can use it. Mails are stored usually not in file system but in a mail-box. Game high-scores, usually app internal / readable with the game only. Which content should be placed usefull in the VFS in addition? Which use-cases?

[Gerold55]

For the notepad to be able to save documents. Also if someone makes a pixel painter soon you will be able to save/download your art. That's what I was thinking :)

[Gerold55]

The file manager can wait until we have more apps made and more updates/development is done. Focus should be to get it to work the way we all want it to.

[bell07]

I think the current metadata (=hdd) layout can be applied to other storages The API at the time is data = app:get_storage_ref(appname) that result a transparent stored lua table for data. In addition I plan:

• app:get_public_cloud_storage_ref(appname) -- available for all users on all computers
• app:get_private_cloud_storage_ref(appname) -- available for current user on all computers
• app:get_floppy_storage_ref(appname) -- available on inserted floppy item (can be transported)

yes, we need an floppy item to be created for data transport;-) And no, I do not write an API for brain ;-)

[Gerold55]

@bell07 USB drive texture has been added.

[bell07]

Great! If you like you can add the ithem definition already. The Usage I'll develop after mail app. The framework needs to be anhanced (USB-Slot is missing) with simple app to connect the stick (1x1 inventory to place the stick) and check in on_punch if punched by stick. First usage will be "Backup/Restore all laptop data", integrated in the USB-Connection app.. Later (I really need more then 24 h time each day :()

[Gerold55]

Yeah 😂😂😂 sorry I just like to check in to see how it's going sorry for all the constant asking ☺ Thanks for all your help on this mod 😊

[Gerold55]

Which one do y'all like better? @bell07 @v-rob @tobyplowy

[tobyplowy]

I like the shape of the second one (simple and realistic) but the colors on the first one are better

[bell07]

Second one. More cubic for a cubic world

[bell07]

I decided to write only one app:get_cloud_storage_ref(appname) method that is "public". The application needs to handle which data which user should be able to see. I used it aleady in the mail app in this way. I defined in app the cloud_appdata[username] is the personal storage and be able to access to sender.outbox and receiverinbox at the same time trough the same lua table

[bell07]

Other queston: Notepad and "Cloud access":

1. Store text on computer is done
2. Store text on USB should be possible
3. Store text in private "Cloud" area? => Do we need private cloud? Because the HDD and USB are less used if private cloud exists
4. Store texts in public cloud: Visible for all players on all laptops: Do we need something like?

The Cloud is powerfull. Do we need any restritcions in usage? Or do we need cloud anarchy?

[Gerold55]

It needs to be as simple as possible. Is it possible to just have a private cloud to store emails? The USB can be used for text documents and for game memory transportation.

[bell07]

The mails are implemented in cloud. USB is missing in framework, but if implemented there is no difference from developer site which framework is used. Therefore the question for "game design" site. It is simple possible but does it make sense? To much cloud get the HDD and Floppy obsolete (like in real-life)

[Gerold55]

The USB could also be used for a separate functionality somehow. We just gotta figure out for what though.

[Gerold55]

I think a floppy could be used for the old computer so that it can perform/boot up properly.

[Gerold55]

@bell07 the USB can be used to share different things but also be a neat way to gift someone something without having to email it. Or something like that. But it can also be used for transferring text documents and other things.

[bell07]

I think a floppy could be used for the old computer so that it can perform/boot up properly.

Nice idea! We can already create a simple custom launcher for old computer containing only the "Please insert disk" image. The OS-Boot from Floppy I need to implement at later time. Du you have such image?

At the time all computers have the same capabilities. With floppy support I need to introduce some additional hardware attributes like external_storage_items = {"laptop:usb_disk", "laptop:floppy" } and external_storage_boot_launcher = {"oldcomputer_launcher" } to be able to get different device capabilities.

[Gerold55]

I'll work on an image for the Please Insert Disk. It'll be done soon someone can edit and update it if they like once I finish it

[bell07]

the USB can be used to share different things

The first apps I plan to do is "Backup/Restore computer" to be able to transfer all content to other computer. At the next enhance the text app to use hdd and floppy. The question was if it is god or bad to be able to save text to the cloud like mail

[Gerold55]

Maybe have a restriction so that you can only save pics to your flash drive and save messages to the cloud or just use the USB drive to back up everything.

[bell07]

If an restriction is needed, the restriction needs to be developed in the app, like if text can be stored in cloud or not. So we need take the decision if yes or not for each app

[Gerold55]

Maybe it should depend on the app developer having it enabled so the developer of an app has the ability to do so. For main PC you can either use the hdd or the cloud and the USB can be used for extra backup

[bell07]

I'll work on an image for the Please Insert Disk.

Can you tell me the file name? I have done the mini-launcher and adjustments to get custom launcher work (there was some bugs)

[bell07]

"minetest_launcher_insert_floppy.png" ? I prepare an PR so you can merge it if the image is done

[Gerold55]

[Gerold55]

Where are we on this?

[bell07]

I am working on this. You can see the current state in my master.

Already done the "draft" storage app, so you can insert already the disk. In survival if you dig the computer, the disk is saved in computer-item-meta and restored on place, so the disk and disk-content does not get lost.

[bell07]

I updated the first topic. Today I wrote the removable items manager for laptops. Not eye candy but functional. Maybe anyone can adjust the formspecs?

Next setup configured: laptop:core have USB only laptop:cube and laptop:monitor3 does have floppy only laptop:monitor2, laptop:monitor4 and laptop:laptop uses both (default)

USB can take and restore backups OR formatted for data storage Floppy can boot OldOS OR formatted for data storage

THe OldOS Boot and usage of data storage by notepad still not done

[bell07]

OldOS boots the default launcher till own DOS-like launcher is implemented

[bell07]

Some redesign needed to get the proper data handling. I plan to introduce the "Block Device" object that can be obtained from OS-Object. The next types shold be supported:

• RAM - stored in nodemeta, always available, cleaned up each reboot
• HDD - stored in nodemeta - available only if computer have HDD capability (not on OldComputer)
• Removable - stored in itemmeta of injected item - only available if compatible item inserted
• System - depending on boot mode (attirbute in ram after boot) eather HDD or removable
• Cloud - only if the computer have "NET" capability

The block devices can have different formats:

• data - contains per-app data parts - like the current version
• boot - Removable can be formatted as boot. If booted with boot-formatted disk this device will be System device. In other case the HDD is system device. If no HDD and no boot-formatted disk => "Please insert disk" app
• native formats like "Backup image". In this case no other data can be stored on media.

Floppy can be boot or data USB-Stick can be backup or data RAM HDD and Cloud are always data

[bell07]

All done. The documentation needs to be updated

[bell07]

@Gerold55 The Layout changes should be finished. I hope it is the last time for big and mayor system rewrite. Please test all apps and functionalities on app computers. If all is fine I will prepare an PR for the changes.

We cannot just merge the development branch because of Node-Color related changes I need temporary remove at first.

[Gerold55]

Works properly as far as I can tell via testing

[bell07]

I started to write a "select/open/save file" dialog usable from all apps. The showcase is the sticky-note app, so the #43 will be done with the next "changes pack"

[bell07]

@Gerold55 Please retest my changes on stickynote app. I did the last changes, disabled node-coloring that was active for testing reason, fixed a bug with node infotext. Now the infotext can be per-node (not tested) If you are done with testing I create the PR with all changes

[bell07]

This issue is solved for me. The "Block devices" and "storage"-partitions are the base layout. The rest is depending on apps and needs to be discussed in apps